Zutara: When Chemicals React (Avatar the last air bender fan fiction)

Katara- Part 16

"Yeah, Toph?" I heard Aang say. I was laying down and had my back turned to Aang and Toph, who were sitting on Appa's neck, and I had just happened to wake up, but I didn't make myself known. I probably shouldn't have been listening but it was hard to go back to sleep with them talking.

     "Well I don't really know how to say it but...and I feel kinda bad due to certain events but..." Toph said sounding pretty nervous, which was something uncommon. This was odd of Toph.

     "What it is, Toph? Are you alright?"

     "Well yeah I guess...It's just that, Aang...I've been wanting to say for a while now that..." Her voice became a bit softer and hesitant.

     "Yeah?" Aang sounded a little worried about Toph. He probably thought something was wrong, especially if she approached it in this way. I was getting worried too, I hoped that she was ok and would be able to talk to all of us about it when she felt it was time.

     "Well Aang...I like you...I have affectionate feelings for you...and I think I may love you..." My eyes widened at the feeling of the surprise and shock of Toph's words. Toph love Aang? Sometimes it was hard to believe she had feelings sometimes...it does hurt a little but I just wished she had spoke to me at least because our friendship. I wonder why she didn't? But the thought of them together...I could see it but I also felt that it would be a little odd..I mean its great and all and I'm happy Toph feels this way and Aang had a chance to be happy...as happy as I am. But...would be good for him emotionally I mean? I just wouldn't want anything from the past to hinder the future.

     It was hard for me to take in this information, but...it would be even harder to act like I didn't know. But what was more important right now is what Aang would have to say.

     "Wow," Aang said sounding flattered. "Are you serious? I had no idea...you really like me?"

     "I'm pretty sure," Toph said. "I know that I really care for you and that no matter what happens I just want you to be happy whether I caused it or not."

     "Oh...wow..."

     "I understand if you want to take the time to soak this in...I totally get it...for every reason...but I want to at least hear your thoughts when you've sorted it all out. Just because I told you this I don't want you to be afraid to talk to me. Even if you reject me I don't want it all to be awkward." Then she must've made movement to leave from beside him because of how Aang reacted.

     "Well wait, hold on a sec Toph.." I could tell Aang still wasn't sure of what to say. But he didn't want to not say anything.

     "Just think about it first," Toph said lastly before she went back to her original spot to sleep.

     The next morning we arrived at the fire nation and hurried off of Appa and through the fire nation palace as quick as possible. As Appa's feet had just landed in the courtyard we had all jumped of to begin our hurried search for Iroh.

     "Uncle! Uncle! Are you here?!" Zuko called, distressed.

     We ran through doors and each of us split up to cover the ground faster. I searched every room I could find and saw that there was no sign of him. I even asked a few servants I ran into and they said that they hadn't seen him today, and if they did it was only once. Hearing this news made me more frantic...what if we were too late? What if Azula had already gotten to Iroh? What would she do with him. As I ran down another hall, we all ended up running into each other, back where we started.

     "Did any of you find him?" I asked.

     "No," Aang said.

     "Nope," Toph said, shaking her head. I looked over at Sokka and Sukki, and they both shook their heads. They didn't find him either.